Practical discussion on contemporary life challenges from an ancient perspective.

Thursday, October 01, 2015

THE WEALTH OF WISDOM

Therefore give to
Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern
between good and evil.
(1 Kings 3:9a)

Many
pursue that which they will never achieve and even if they did attain it, has
no enduring worth. It is of this
material universe and Scripture tells us that all that is of the world is
passing away. But to pursue God’s wisdom
is to find wealth that extends into every area of life. Solomon obtained this wisdom and so may we.

Solomon
was smart enough to know he wasn’t smart enough. Imagine getting a blank check from God. He did and notice how he filled it in. In humility, he acknowledges his need. He basically says, “I don’t know if I’m coming
or going!” Solomon displays the fear of
God. Scripture says that the fear of the
Lord is the beginning of wisdom. He had
a love and desire to serve the people that demanded wisdom to succeed. He knew the work was too great for him. God delights to answer such prayers. “If any of
you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God”(James 1:5a).

The
reason wisdom is so valuable is that it touches every dimension of life. Wisdom is not mere knowledge. Knowledge puffs us up the Bible says (1
Cor.8:1). Wisdom is the ability to take
knowledge and apply it in practical ways, especially in the moral realm. It enables us to understand God’s ways, which
are often 180 degrees from man’s ways. Being
rich in wisdom enables you to prosper in other facets of life. No wonder Solomon advised above all, “Get wisdom” (Prov.4:7).

God
gives Solomon discernment. He is able to
make wise decisions. Solomon desired to
administer justice and reign effectively and he does by the gracious gift of
wisdom. The people now respect his
leadership ability. To have a title is
not the same as being a leader. How we
need good judgment in leaders—whether in government, the home, business or the
church. Life is about choices and we
face them constantly. Seek God’s guidance.That’s the key to being successful.

Solomon’s
leadership was established. He shows
wisdom in his great organizational skills (1 Kings 4:1-28).He delegates responsibilities (v.1-7).Not even a man as wise as Solomon had all the
answers. He needed help. Wisdom leads us to secure partners. He gathers resources (v.20-28). You can’t do a job without the tools required.
A wise leader knows what resources are
needed and where to secure the resources needed to get the job done. The results of all this was a kingdom at peace.
Delegating responsibilities and
determining resources will help the leader have peace of mind. Burn out comes from trying to carry the entire
load. The Apostles recognized this
wouldn’t work in the early church (see Acts 6:1-7). It still won’t.

The
king didn’t have to send out a press release trumpeting that he was the wisest
man in the world (1 Kings 4:29-34).The results
spoke for themselves. If we make good
decisions and provide good leadership, we don’t have to promote ourselves. The boss will notice. The voters will respond. The church will acknowledge.We’re not
after a title but a testimony. Ultimately God gives the final accounting.

How
we need wisdom! Ask God like Solomon
did. Stop pursuing earthly wealth and
pursue eternal worth—the wealth of wisdom. God has a treasure chest in His Word. We are promised to prosper in every way if we
meditate on it continually.Get started
now!

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About Me

I am a mountaineer by birth--a native of Asheville, NC. For a period of ten years I lived in the Charlotte area and for the last eighteen, I have been "home." I was brought up in a Christian family. In fact, I went to church nine months before I was born! Despite the best efforts of parents and preachers, I went astray. The Prodigal Son story that Jesus told in Luke 15 became my story--a sordid life of drugs and booze and that's enough for you to know. But at the age of eighteen all I had been taught came flooding back into my mind when I saw the mess I was in. Christ changed me. I gave my life to Him and as a result have spent the last three decades preaching the Gospel. I'm not all I ought to be and certainly not what I one day shall be, but thankfully, not what I used to be! God has blessed me with a great wife, five wonderful children and so far, twelve grandchildren. To Him be the glory and praise, now and forever.